ASU Statement: LGBTQIA+ Census Exclusion
29 August 2024

The Australian Services Union is the union for workers at LGBTQIA+ organisations, and represents LGBTQIA+ workers no matter where they work across the community and disability sectors, and in transport, water and technology services.

The ASU is disappointed to learn the federal government has decided LGBTQIA+ people will no longer be counted in the 2026 census – despite it being in the Australian Labor Party's platform when elected, and the inclusion recommended by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Without accurate data it is impossible to properly understand the needs of our rainbow community. The decision not to include questions about sexual orientation and gender identity is a missed opportunity to gather important data about our community that could help shape future policy decisions.

We reject the argument that including questions about our rainbow community will put safety of the LGBTQIA+ community at risk. The LGBTQIA+ community already experiences higher levels of abuse and discrimination. An accurate understanding of the community via the census would help the frontline services we represent better support the LGBTQIA+ community. This is why LGBTQIA+ organisations unanimously supported the move to include these questions.

The ASU was proud to lead the campaign for Yes in the 2017 marriage equality plebiscite as part of Unions for Marriage Equality. That campaign made it clear that Australia recognises LGBTQIA+ relationships are equal. Counting the community should have been a small change.

This decision comes following inaction on the religious discrimination bill that would protect LGBTQIA+ children and workers in religious institutions, and the NSW Equality Bill, which would close loopholes across the board that have allowed the discrimination against members of the LGBTQIA+ community. If the Labor Party truly believes that LGBTQIA+ people need protecting, we suggest they start there.

We pay tribute to the ASU members who have called, emailed and posted on social media, calling on our Government to support LGBTQIA+ people. We encourage members to sign Equality Australia’s Count Us In petition.

 

 

Pride in Your Workplace

Did you catch our online webinar Pride in Your Workplace last year? 
  
With special guests from ACON, Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) and Positive Life NSW, in this webinar we hear from community LGBTQIA+ activists on their priority issues and how we can work together for real change.
  
Watch here.
 
 

ASU Pride Pack

Want to share your pride at work? We've got posters, postcards and lanyards!

Click here to register for your pack today.

 

I'm particularly proud to be part of the union that won 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave for 11 million workers - it's a win that really encapsulates what the ASU is about.
Emma ASU member